Neodymium-yttrium Aluminum Garnet Laser Research Articles

Clinical Study of Pingyangmycin Combined with Nd:YAG Laser to Treat Venous Malformations in the Oral and Maxillofacial Region

Purpose: To explore the efficacy of pingyangmycin (PYM) combined with Neodymium yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser to treat venous malformations in the oral and maxillofacial region. Methods: Eighty-six patients were randomly divided into two groups. Forty-two patients were allocated to the experimental group and were injected with PYM at the lesion site, followed by Nd:YAG laser irradiation two days later. Forty-four patients were allocated to the control group and received only Nd:YAG laser irradiation (15-30W of power). All patients came back for a follow-up examination one month later. Results: Twenty-eight patients in the experimental group (66.67%) and 16 patients in the control group (36.31%) had no lesions after one treatment. Additionally, 10 patients in the experimental group (23.81%) and nine patients in the control group (20.45%) showed significant improvement at one month post-treatment. Compared to the control group, the experimental group demonstrated superior outcomes and shorter treatment durations. The between-group difference was significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: PYM combined with Nd:YAG laser is an effective treatment of venous malformations in the oral and maxillofacial region, potentially shortening treatment durations.

Study of Effect of Nd:YAG Capsulotomy on Corneal Endothelium: A Teaching Hospital Based Prospective study

Introduction: Posterior Capsular Opacification (PCO) is a condition which develops months or years after cataract surgery. The Neodymium Yttrium Aluminium Garnet (Nd:YAG) laser capsulotomy is the procedure of choice for PCO and its adverse effects include intraocular pressure elevation, cystoid macular oedema, corneal endothelial cell damage, retinal detachment and Intraocular Lens (IOL) pitting. Aim: To assess the corneal endothelial structure and function before and after Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy in patients with PCO using specular microscopy. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective observational study carried out in Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University) Medical College and Hospital, Sangli, Maharashtra, India on 50 eyes of 50 patients having PCO. This study was conducted in the time period between October 2020 to February 2021 for four months. Patients were subjected to Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy in the affected eye and were followed-up at one week and one month postprocedure. Specular Microscopy was used to evaluate the Endothelial Cell Density (ECD), Coefficient of Variation (CV) and Hexagonality of endothelial cells before and after laser capsulotomy. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0 was used for the statistical analysis. Chi-square test and ANOVA test are the tests of significance applied in this study. Results: Forty-five patients (90%) gained Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) of >6/18 after one week and 47 patients (94%) gained BCVA of ≥6/18 after one month postprocedure. Mean ECD prelaser was 2356.76 cells/mm2, which decreased to 2231.8 cells/mm2 at one week and 2199.2 cells/mm2 at one month follow-up. The difference between prelaser ECD and at one week and one month was 124.96 cells/mm2 and 157.56 cells/mm2, respectively, which was statistically significant at one month (p<0.0001). The mean CV prelaser was 33.74, at one week was 35.58 and at one month it was 37.22. The difference in CV from prelaser status to one month was statistically significant (p<0.0001). The mean hexagonality at baseline was 65.34% which decreased to 62.02% at one week and 60.42% at one month follow-up. The difference in hexagonality between one month and baseline was statistically significant (p<0.0001). Conclusion: Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy is a safe, effective and non invasive method for the treatment of PCO. However, it causes structural and functional corneal endothelial cell damage.

Successful Treatment of Scalp Micropigmentation With 1064 nm Picosecond Nd:YAG Laser.

Scalp micropigmentation (SMP) is a useful technique that applies permanent camouflage for hair loss and scarring. However, suboptimal outcomes necessitate removal. To date, there have been no reports of SMP removal with a picosecond laser. In this report, we demonstrate the safety and efficacy of 1064 nm picosecond neodymium yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser for the removal of SMP. This was a case series of four patients who presented with undesirable SMP. Following induction of adequate cutaneous anesthesia, a 1064 nm picosecond Nd:YAG laser was applied to all surface areas with SMP. Post-operative care consisted of 1% dimethicone ointment applied twice daily to the affected areas for 3-7 days. Patients were evaluated after 3-4 weeks and additional treatment sessions were undertaken if necessary. Clearance of SMP was achieved within 1-3 treatment sessions in all cases. There were no unexpected adverse events. Picosecond Nd:YAG laser is an excellent treatment option for undesirable SMP. It is safe and effective and typically requires fewer treatment sessions than traditional tattoo removal. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

RADT-26. LASER INTERSTITIAL THERMAL THERAPY FOR RECURRENT GLIOBLASTOMA: POOLED ANALYSES OF AVAILABLE LITERATURE

Abstract INTRODUCTION Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy (LITT) is a novel treatment modality that has been used for an array of intracranial pathology. In the current manuscript, we sought to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to summarize all available literature to date, on outcomes of patients with recurrent GBM (r-GBM) undergoing LITT, pooling together quantitatively the overall survival and progression-free survival data. METHODS A comprehensive literature search was performed to retrieve all studies investigating overall survival, post-procedure survival, and progression-free survival outcomes of patients with r-GBM undergoing LITT. All statistics were pooled together by the meta-analysis of the mean using a weighted random-effects (RE) or fixed-effect (FE) model. RESULTS Eleven studies were included in the final cohort, representing a total of 134 patients with rGBM. The pooled mean age of the cohort at the time of recurrence diagnosis was found to be 56.7 ± 4.56 while 41% of the cohort were females. For the delivery of LITT, two studies utilized neodymium-yttrium aluminum-garnet laser (Neodp-YAG Laser), three studies utilized the Visualase system, five studies utilized the Neuroblate system, and one study used both the Neuroblate and the Visualase system. A total of eight studies with 107 patients had available data for overall median survival. The pooled overall survival was found to be 18.6 months (95%CI 16.2-21.1). A total of six studies with 93 patients had available data for post-LITT survival. The pooled post-LITT survival was found to be 10.1 months (95%CI 8.8-11.6). A total of eight studies with 119 patients had available data for progression-free survival. The pooled progression-free survival was found to be 6 months (95%CI 5.3-6.7). CONCLUSION LITT is a novel minimally invasive procedure which, when used with optimal adjuvant therapy, may confer survival benefit for patients with r-GBM.

Ultrasound biomicroscopy evaluation of pseudophakic pupillary block by vitreous prolapse after Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy

Intraocular pressure rise is a common complication after neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd-YAG) laser posterior capsulotomy. Although in most cases it is related to an inflammatory response, there are other possible mechanisms such as misdirection syndrome and pupillary block. The authors report two cases of pupillary block by vitreous prolapse after Nd-YAG laser posterior capsulotomy evaluated by ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM). UBM allows to differentiate possible causes of intraocular pressure rising after laser capsulotomy even in cases of corneal opacity. It also allows to detect intraocular lens dislocation, sometimes associated with this situation. This is the first report that describes the characteristics of UBM images of this complication.

Bilateral and multiple sub-internal limiting membrane hemorrhages in a familial retinal arteriolar tortuosity patient by Valsalva-like mechanism: an observational case report

BackgroundBilateral and multiple Valsalva-related sub-internal limiting membrane (ILM) hemorrhages in a familial retinal arteriolar tortuosity (FRAT) patient is rare, and we treated this patient by both observation and Neodymium yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd: YAG) laser membranotomy methods.Case presentationA 13-year-old female student presented with sudden visual loss and central scotoma in both eyes after running 800 m at the school gym. The examination revealed six sub-ILM hemorrhages with the biggest hemorrhage measuring approximately 1.5-disc diameters (DD) in the right eye and two sub-ILM hemorrhages with the biggest one measuring 5.5 DD in the left eye. The patient was diagnosed as having Valsalva retinopathy associated with FRAT. Nd: YAG laser membranotomy was performed at the biggest hemorrhages and the rest hemorrhages were treated with observation in both eyes. The visual acuity recovered to 20/16 in the right eye and 20/20 in the left eye. Epiretinal membrane (ERM) formation was observed in the left eye.ConclusionsNd: YAG laser could be considered for treating premacular hemorrhage in FRAT patient especially when a quick vision recovery was needed. This is the first reported case of a FRAT patient suffering from bilateral and multiple Valsalva-related sub-ILM hemorrhages which were treated by both observation and Nd: YAG laser treatment.

Synthesis of gadolinium nanoparticles in spinach-extracted liquid using a pulse laser ablation method

Colloidal gadolinium nanoparticles (GdNPs) have been produced by using pulsed laser ablation (PLA) method. The synthesis in this study used a low-power neodymium yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd: YAG) laser (45 mJ). Pulse laser beam, which has specifications of 1064 nm, 7ns, 10 Hz, was focused on high-purity metal gadolinium (Gd) surface, which was placed into a spinach-extracted liquid, to produce GdNPs colloid. It is known that the spinach naturally contains iron (Fe), which is a quite high concentration from FeSO4.7H2O. The magnetic characteristics of iron are ferromagnetism, likewise, gadolinium. As the contrast agent, especially in MRI, the magnetic characteristics of the material are needed to improve the image quality. Colloidal GdNPs were successfully produced at a total concentration of 71 ppm after laser bombardment. The TEM image of GdNPS shows that these nanoparticles had a spherical shape. The average diameter of GdNPs was 15 nm.

Safety and efficacy of Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy in management of posterior capsular opacification

Background: At present, the only effective treatment of posterior capsular opacification (PCO), which is the most common complication of modern cataract surgery, is Neodymium-Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (Nd:YAG) laser capsulotomy. There are few complications associated with this easy and quick laser capsulotomy. The current study was conducted in a tertiary hospital of Odisha with an objective to find the safety and efficacy of Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy in the management of defective vision due to posterior capsular opacity.Methods: The study was conducted among the patients attending the Ophthalmology out patient department of a tertiary hospital in Odisha with defective vision due to posterior capsular opacity after cataract surgery. Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy was carried out in all patients with significant PCO. Visual acuity and intraocular pressure were recorded before and after the procedure. The cases were carefully followed up and looked for any complication and visual acuity was assessed during follow up visits.Results: In the study 184 participants were included. Visual improvement was observed in 97.8% participants. Visual acuity improved to 6/6 in 21.73 %, 6/9 in 36.41 % cases, 6/12 in 15.21 % cases. Raised IOP was recorded among 46% of participant after 4 hrs of laser capsulotomy which was later observed among 12% of participants on follow up visit at 1 week. The most common complication recorded was transient rise of IOP (46.3%) followed by aqueous flare (28.8%).Conclusions: Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy is a noninvasive, effective, relatively safe procedure for PCO with good visual outcome.

One-year follow-up of patients after yttrium aluminum garnet laser vitreolysis for vitreous floaters

Background: This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy, complications, and patient satisfaction and follow-up for 1 year after neodymium yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser vitreolysis for visually disturbing vitreous floaters. Aims: To evaluate the role of Nd:YAG laser vitreolysis in visually disturbing vitreous floaters. Settings and Design: This was an institutional, observational, cross-sectional retrospective study. Subjects and Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted on 86 eyes of 71 patients suffering from persistent vitreous floaters with complete posterior vitreous detachment who underwent laser vitreolysis with the Ultra Q Reflex™ (Ellex Medical Lasers, Adelaide, Australia), in the first half of 2015. Follow-up was done for 1 year. Patient satisfaction was graded from 0% to 100%. Laser settings and complications were recorded. Results: Average subjective symptomatic improvement was 66.23%; 44.2% of patients reported excellent satisfaction (75%–100%) and 32.6% reported good satisfaction (50%–74%). 45.3% of patients required 3–4 sessions. Average power setting was 5.3 mJ. One case of iatrogenic cataract treated by phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation occurred. Another case suffered limited vitreous hemorrhage which completely resolved. Conclusions: Laser vitreolysis is a safe, effective method for the treatment of symptomatic visually disturbing floaters.

Laser and its use in pediatric dentistry: A review of literature and a recent update

Since last two decades, the use of laser in dentistry evolved in an immense way. Although soft-tissue laser was initially introduced, but with invention of new-generation laser, it is now widely used on dental hard tissue as well. Commonly used laser in dentistry includes neodymium-yttrium aluminum garnet laser, erbium: yttrium aluminum garnet, CO2, erbium chromium:yttrium scandium gallium garnet, holmium:yttrium aluminum garnet, and diode laser. Treating a pediatric patient with laser for oral and dental procedure is beneficial as it is less fearful to the child and better accepted by parents. When a clinician uses the laser for surgical or pulpal procedure, children become more cooperative and thus enhances treatment outcome. It is used for caries prevention, early diagnosis, cavity restoration, management of traumatized teeth, and minor oral surgical procedure in child patients. Although the use of laser may produce certain hazards and need some precautions, its use in pediatric dental practice seems to soon become the gold standard.

FREQUENCY OF ACUTE RISE OF INTRAOCULAR PRESSURE FOLLOWING YAG LASER POSTERIOR CAPSULOTOMY

Background: Posterior capsular opacification (PCO) is the most frequent complication of cataract surgery. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of acute rise of intraocular pressure (IOP) following Neodymium-Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (Nd:Yag) laser posterior capsulotomy. Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Ophthalmology, HMC, Peshawar, Pakistan, from July-December 2016. Sample size was 325 selected by consecutive sampling technique. Inclusion criteria were all patients having significant PCO after uneventful cataract surgery with intra ocular lens implant. Demographic variables were sex, age groups and age in years. Research variable was presence of acute rise of IOP following Yag laser capsulotomy. Pre-laser assessment included slit lamp examination and recording of IOP with Goldmann applanation tonometer by a single ophthalmologist. IOP was measured 3 hours after Nd: Yag laser capsulotomy. Rise in IOP was labeled when IOP was ≥5 mmhg from baseline. Mean ±SD was used to express quantitative variables like age. Categorical variables were analyzed as frequency and percentage. Goodness-of-fit was applied to compare the frequency of acute rise in IOP between sample and population. SPSS-20 was used for data entry and its analysis. Results: Out of 325 patients, 170(52.3%) were men and 155(47.7%) were women. The mean age of the sample was 44.92 ±23.843 years. A total of 107(32.9%) patients were 20-39 years old whereas 218(67.1%) were 40-70 years. IOP was raised in 61 (18.8%) patients while in 264(81.2%) patients it was not raised. The frequency of acute rise in IOP after Yag laser capsulotomy was significantly different in sample compared to population. Conclusion: Men were more than women, especially of old age. The frequency of acute rise in IOP after Yag laser capsulotomy was significantly different in sample compared to population.

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy for rapid detection of corrosiveness in concrete

Identification of corrosiveness in concrete is necessary for evaluation of building strength. In this study, identification of reinforced concrete corrosion has been successfully conducted using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) method by identification of sodium element as a fingerprint in the sample. Low-power neodymium yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser was used (1064 nm, 34mJ, 7ns) as an energy source. The laser beam was focused on concrete sample surface which contains different concentration of sodium-chloride (0.1 % - 1%). The experiment was carried out under atmospheric pressure. The sodium emission line at Na I 589.59 nm was successfully detected. Nice linear calibration curve of sodium line in concrete containing different concentration of sodium chloride (NaCl) was made. The linear curve certified that sodium line can be used as a fingerprint for evaluation of concrete strength.

Feasibility of EUS-guided Nd:YAG laser ablation of unresectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma

EUS has become an interventional technique in which a needle may be used as a vehicle to deliver therapeutic agents. Laser ablation (LA) has been used to treat many primary and secondary neoplasms. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of EUS-guided LA for unresectable (UR) pancreatic cancer. Patients with stage IIb-III pancreatic cancer underwent EUS-guided LA. All patients were unresponsive to previous chemoradiotherapy. LA was performed by using a 300-μm flexible fiber preloaded onto a 22-gauge fine needle. A 1064-nm wavelength neodymium-yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser light with different power settings of 2 W for 800 J, 1000 J, and 1200 J; 3 W for 800 J, 1000 J, and 1200 J; and 4 W for 800 J, 1000 J, and 1200 J was used. Each patient was treated with a single application of 1 of these settings. The application time of the power settings ranged from 200 to 600 seconds. Nine patients (median age, 74.7; range 55-85) underwent Nd:Yag LA. The mean size of the focal lesion was 35.4mm (range, 21-45). The ablation area, demonstrated by 24-hour CT, ranged from .4 cm3 (for the lower power setting of 2 W/800 J) to a maximum of 6.4 cm3 (for 4 W/1000 J). The procedure was completed in all 9 patients without adverse events. In our human experience, EUS-guided LA was feasible and well tolerated in patients with UR pancreatic cancer.

Effect of laser scanning speed on surface properties of Ti-Si laser clad intermetallic coatings fabricated on Ti-6Al-4V alloy

A binary Ti-Si (1 : 1) alloy coating was fabricated on Ti-6Al-4V alloy using laser cladding technique where Neodymium yttrium aluminium garnet laser was utilised. Micro-atomised powders of Ti and Si were used for deposition of multi-track clad coatings utilising power of 1.5 kW and a varied speed of 1.2 m/min, 1.6 m/min and 2.0 m/min. Scanning electron microscope coupled with energy dispersive spectrometer was used for microstructural characterisation and elemental analysis while a digital light microscope was used for optical imaging and coating thickness measurements. Phase identification was conducted using X-ray diffraction analyser and transverse microhardness evaluated at 100 gf for 10 s dwell time was achieved with the use of a Vickers hardness machine. The laser fabricated coatings were found to exhibit a decrease in grain size with an increase in the laser scanning speed. The microstructure of the coatings ranged from irregular refined grains, faceted grains and lamellar eutectic network of TiSS + Ti5Si3. The hardness of the coatings exhibited Ti, Si, TiS2 and Ti5Si3 phases averaged a 247.4% increase with maximum hardness recorded at 1.2 m/min scanning speed.

Synthesis and characterization of high-purity gold nanoparticles by laser ablation method using low-energy Nd:YAG laser 1064 nm

High-purity gold nanoparticles (GNPs) has been successfully synthesized by using laser ablation method utilizing low-power neodymium yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser at the fundamental wavelength. Experimentally, pulse laser beam (Nd:YAG laser, 1064 nm, 7 ns, 30 mJ) was directed and focused onto a high-purity gold sheet (99.95%), which was placed into a pure liquid of deionized water, to produce GNPs colloid. Dark-red color colloid of high-purity GNPs was successfully synthesized. The GNPs had a spherical shape with an average diameter of 23.5 nm and standard deviation of 6.4 nm. The surface plasma resonance was centered at wavelength maximum at 520 nm.

ES 07.03 Bronchoscopic Management of Central Airway Obstruction

Malignant airway obstruction can result from primary airway tumors, extension of adjacent primary tumors, or metastatic tumors. Partial or complete airway obstruction can deteriorate functional status of patients and result in impending respiratory failure. Malignant airway obstruction is considered to be one of the most distressing causes of morbidity and mortality in lung cancer patients. Bronchoscopic intervention can provide immediate relief from suffocation, improve general condition, and provide a bridge, allowing time for additional treatment such as surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy in patients suffering from malignant airway obstruction. Any patients who suffer from respiratory distress due to central airway obstruction are indicated for bronchoscopic intervention. However, patients should tolerate the morbidity of intervention, the length of the airway obstruction less than 4cm, and the duration of obstruction less than 2 month due to the technical limitation. Due to it is safe from massive hemoptysis and respiratory failure, most experienced bronchoscopists prefer rigid bronchoscopy under general anesthesia, using intravenous propofol injection. After the induction of anesthesia, the patients are intubated with a rigid bronchoscope tube and a flexible bronchoscope is introduced through the rigid bronchoscope tube, and the narrowed central airway was evaluated. In every case, the obstructed airway is dilated gently using an 10 mm rigid bronchoscope tube initially and then progressively larger bronchoscope tubes until an adequate airway caliber was established. When indicated, a controlled radial expansion balloon is used to enlarge the airway sufficiently to allow bronchoscopic dilatation. Any intraluminal mass is removed mechanically using rigid bronchoscopic forceps or a snare. Frequently, a neodymium-yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd-YAG) or diode laser is used to ablate the residual endobronchial tumor or to cauterize the tumor bed after most of the tumor had been excised. After mechanical dilatation, the airway is maintained by inserting a silicone stent (Dumon-style stent) in patients whose airway is not maintained due to extrinsic compression or malacia. The silicone stents are inserted through the rigid bronchoscope using a standard Dumon technique. In experienced center, the overall success rate is more than 90% after the emergency bronchoscopic intervention. A successful outcome is accompanied by subjective improvement in the symptoms and radiographic findings. After stabilizing the airway with the bronchoscopic treatment, favorable outcome is expected if additional definitive therapy can be applied, such as surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy. Nowadays, bronchoscopic intervention can achieve prolonged survival with sustained significant improvement of quality of life. Tracheal perforation, massive bleeding, respiratory failure and cardiac arrhythmia can develop after bronchoscopic intervention. However, the overall complication rate is not over 5% in experienced center. Bronchoscopic intervention in patients with malignant airway obstruction is helpful for the palliation the airway, allowing the multimodality therapeutic approach and prolonging the life of the patients.

Efficacy of scaling and root planning with and without adjunct Nd:YAG laser therapy on clinical periodontal parameters and gingival crevicular fluid interleukin 1-beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels among patients with periodontal disease: A prospective randomized split-mouth clinical study

Background and aimLimited evidence exists regarding the role of scaling and root planning (SRP) with adjunct neodymium yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser therapy in reducing periodontal parameters (plaque index [PI], bleeding on probing [BOP] and probing pocket depth [PPD]) and levels of proinflammatory cytokines in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) among patients with periodontal disease (PD). The aim was to assess the effect of SRP with and without adjunct Nd:YAG laser therapy on clinical periodontal parameters and GCF interleukin 1-beta (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels among patients with PD. MethodsDemographic data was collected using a questionnaire. Mandibular right and left quadrants were randomly divided into test- (SRP+Nd:YAG laser) and control-sites (SRP alone). PI, BOP and PPD were assessed and GCF IL-1β and TNF-α levels were measured at baseline and at 3- and 6-month follow-up. Level of significance was set at P<0.05. ResultsTwenty-eight male patients with PD were included. At 3- and 6-month follow-up, PI (P<0.01), BOP (P<0.01) and PPD (P<0.01) were significantly higher in the control-sites than test-sites. In the test-sites, PI, BOP and PPD and GCF IL-1β and TNF-α levels were comparable at 3- and 6-month follow-up. At 6-month follow-up, IL-1β (P<0.05) and TNF-α (P<0.05) levels were significantly higher in control-sites than test-sites at 3- and 6-month follow-up. ConclusionAt 3- and 6-month follow-up, SRP+Nd:YAG therapy was more effective in reducing periodontal inflammatory parameters and GCF IL-1β and TNF-α levels compared with SRP alone.

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry for determination of Cr in soils from Brits District, South Africa

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is an emerging analytical technique, which can be used to perform elemental analysis of any material, irrespective of its physical state. In this study, the LIBS technique has been applied for quantification of total Cr in soil samples collected from polluted areas of Brits, North West Province, South Africa. A Q-switched neodymium-yttrium aluminium garnet (Nd-YAG) laser (10 Hz, λ = 1064 nm) was employed for generation of a laser-induced plasma on the surface of the soil sample. The atomic emission lines were recorded using an Andor Shamrock SR-303i spectrometer, fitted with an intensified charge-coupled device (ICCD) camera. Detailed investigation of experimental parameters such as gate delay time, gate width and laser pulse energy was conducted. Soil samples were dried, finely ground, sieved and thereafter pelletized before LIBS analysis. Calibration curve for the quantification of Cr was constructed using certified reference materials of soils and sediments. The concentrations of Cr in soil samples varied from 111 to 3180 mg/kg. In order to test the validity of the LIBS results, inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was also employed for determination of Cr. The results obtained using LIBS were found to be in good agreement with those of ICP-MS. KEY WORDS : Chromium, Direct determination, Soil, LIBS, ICP-MS Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2015 , 29(3), 357-366. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v29i3.3

Update on the Management of Rosacea.

Refining diagnostic criteria has identified key characteristics differentiating rosacea, a chronic skin disorder, from other common cutaneous inflammatory conditions. The current classification system developed by the National Rosacea Society Expert Committee consists of erythematotelangiectatic, papulopustular, phymatous, and ocular subtypes. Each subtype stands as a unique entity among a spectrum, with characteristic symptoms and physical findings, along with an intricate pathophysiology. The main treatment modalities for rosacea include topical, systemic, laser, and light therapies. Topical brimonidine tartrate gel and calcineurin inhibitors are at the forefront of topical therapies, alone or in combination with traditional therapies such as topical metronidazole or azelaic acid and oral tetracyclines or isotretinoin. Vascular laser and intense pulsed light therapies are beneficial for the erythema and telangiectasia, as well as the symptoms (itching, burning, pain, stinging, swelling) of rosacea. Injectable botulinum toxin, topical ivermectin, and microsecond long-pulsed neodymium-yttrium aluminum garnet laser are emerging therapies that may prove to be extremely beneficial in the future. Once a debilitating disorder, rosacea has become a well known and manageable entity in the setting of numerous emerging therapeutic options. Herein, we describe the treatments currently available and give our opinions regarding emerging and combination therapies.

Update on the management of rosacea.

Refining diagnostic criteria has identified key characteristics differentiating rosacea, a chronic skin disorder, from other common cutaneous inflammatory conditions. The current classification system developed by the National Rosacea Society Expert Committee consists of erythematotelangiectatic, papulopustular, phymatous, and ocular subtypes. Each subtype stands as a unique entity among a spectrum, with characteristic symptoms and physical findings, along with an intricate pathophysiology. The main treatment modalities for rosacea include topical, systemic, laser, and light therapies. Topical brimonidine tartrate gel and calcineurin inhibitors are at the forefront of topical therapies, alone or in combination with traditional therapies such as topical metronidazole or azelaic acid and oral tetracyclines or isotretinoin. Vascular laser and intense pulsed light therapies are beneficial for the erythema and telangiectasia, as well as the symptoms (itching, burning, pain, stinging, swelling) of rosacea. Injectable botulinum toxin, topical ivermectin, and microsecond long-pulsed neodymium-yttrium aluminum garnet laser are emerging therapies that may prove to be extremely beneficial in the future. Once a debilitating disorder, rosacea has become a well known and manageable entity in the setting of numerous emerging therapeutic options. Herein, we describe the treatments currently available and give our opinions regarding emerging and combination therapies.